In Conversation: Jesús Navas : Interviews : Soccer Bible

With World Cup and European Championship medals under his belt, Jesús Navas is a flair player who talks with his feet while attacking the game with passion. Sitting down with this pacemaker, we headed to New Balance HQ and got to know how he ticks, as Manchester City prepare to take on his former club Sevilla in the Champions League.

Can you tell us a little bit about what it was like growing up for you and your first introduction to football?

I started at a very young age, playing back in my home town and then by the time I was fifteen, I arrived in Sevilla at the academy. Two seasons after that, I broke into the first team.

Can you remember a point in time when you first fell in love with the game?

Having played from such a young age, one moment that defines my passion for the game was when I made my debut for Sevilla. For me, that was massive.

As a fan of the game, what makes football so special to you? Are there moments you have experienced that sum up just how great it is for you?

I think one of the most valuable experiences I have learnt since I've been in the game is to remain humble and keep your feet on the ground. This career is a game of ups and downs so it is important you manage to keep grounded.

When you start out at such a young age, did you ever think about your style of play or does the way you play come naturally to you?

I think it comes out naturally. For as long as I can remember I've always enjoyed playing quick, making it a speed game. I love playing wide open, I think it's very important in football to use wingers to generate goal scoring opportunities.



You’ve mentioned Luis Figo as an inspiration when you were growing up, he is a super cool guy right? What other players have you taken inspiration from throughout your career?

There have been many players that I have taken inspiration from and have been an inspiration to me including many team mates since playing at Sevilla. Since my game is to play wide open on the wing, it is exactly what Luis Figo used to do, so I'd have to stick with him.

You have played with and against the world’s greatest. If you had to pin point certain elements of the greatest players you’ve been on the pitch with, what puts them in an elite bracket?

I think they are all very complete players. I've played with, against and shared the pitch with Messi, Ronaldo, also Zidane – I think overall they are very complete players and they manage to show their skill where it matters most.

Football is a demanding profession, what are the biggest challenges you face on and off the pitch?

Well, off the pitch the main thing in being a football player in the national team, at that kind of level, you have to always remain calm. You know that you have to be an example for a lot of people so you need to accept that. On the pitch, obviously I've been lucky to have so much success, a lot of titles. With the Spanish national team at the World Cup, The Euros, winning the league with City, it's all been fantastic.

So much is won or lost in the finer details of football, how meticulous are you personally when it comes to preparing for a game?

Mainly, I like to focus on the psychological side of things. Being mentally prepared for every game, and prepared adequately to do what the manager asks of me. To be able to use my ability, my speed at 100%.

Winning is obviously something every player is striving for, from losing games in the past, what’s the strongest lesson you’ve taken from defeat?

I've always learnt from defeat. First and foremost you learn a lot. You learn those mistakes that highlights what you need to improve on in order to improve and not lose again.



City face Sevilla in the Champions League tonight – will that be a match of mixed emotions for you?

Yes, definitely a big game of mixed emotions for me. That's the club where I was raised as a footballer, that's where it all started for me and that's the club that gave me everything to be able to get to where I am today. But, I'm looking forward to it because it's going to be great playing in front of Sevilla fans. I'm ultimately glad they're in the Champions League and I'm looking forward to it.

Much has been said about your love for your home town – would you call Manchester your home from home now? How is life in Manchester for a professional footballer?

Manchester is incredible. It's been great for me, ever since the very beginning when I arrived at the club. The city, the supporters – I'm very happy in this city – very comfortable. We've got great players here as well who are constantly looking to win titles so it matches me and I'm very happy here.

I'm sure you'd like to bring the sun and weather from Seville – have you adjusted to the intensity of the winter period in the Premier League?

It's true that the weather is different over here but to be honest, it's not effected me too much.

When you’re not playing football, do you find yourself watching a lot of football? Would you call yourself a football fan as much as a player?

Yeah, I watch as much football as I can, I love to watch the game. What caught my attention over here is that the grounds are always packed. It doesn't matter what division, they're always full. The supporters packing out the grounds, there is a great football culture here, arguably the best in the world.



On the pitch, creativity is a key part of the game, have you got a creative mind off it? When you’re not playing or watching football ­is there one thing you like to do most with your spare time?

We play a lot of games so being completely honest we spend a lot of time on preparation but in my spare time, what I enjoy most is spending time with my family. Go for dinner, to the cinema, things like that.

Is there one moment, a pass, an assist or a goal that sticks out in your career above all else?

There are many moments. My debut for Sevilla is very important for me but also other times like scoring the goal in the final against Atletico Madrid and being able to be part of a World Cup squad and playing in a World Cup final. Those moments are unforgettable.

Have you kept many boots and shirts from those games?

Yes, from every single final I've been in, I have the boots and shirt from all of them.

Football is a spiritual game, is there a part of the game. What point in a game do you enjoy most? Is it in the tunnel, when you have the ball, etc? 

What I enjoy the most is getting on the pitch and playing football. I hope the fans enjoy the game but for me, what's most important is being on the pitch.

How important is a fresh pair of boots to you, is there any nostalgia attached to football boots for you?

With the new boots, I like the colours that come with them. For me, as an attacking player, I think I'm a fast player so I think it's cool for people to have boots with bright colours.



When it comes to linking up with brands and endorsements off the pitch, New Balance is a seamlessly cool brand -­ is it important to you to appreciate what a brand stands for before you can work with them?

Yes, it's very important. From the first moment I joined New Balance specifically, they trusted me and in my ability. My relationship with them has been great and I enjoy working with them. The ambition they show in developing themselves as a football brand, that's important to me. They're growing fast, too. My aspiration is to always be growing more and more. Like I said, it's important to keep your feet on the ground but knowing you need to keep achieving more and more, and that's the objective for this season too.

You’re not short of medals ­ If there’s one achievement you visualize yourself doing, on the pitch, off the pitch or in your personal life, in the future what would it be?

The Champions League. Obviously, the Premier League is very important for us and for the fans incredibly so, but we have to take that step further and really go for the Champions League.

Do you ever look at that World Cup medal and take a second glance? That must be an incredible feeling?

I'll be honest, there's not two or three days that go by when I don't watch the goal. How the whole team runs to celebrate with the goal scorer. Being a World Cup winner is something hard to believe, it's a dream come true. My childhood dream.



Jesús Navas wears the new "Deep Orchid/Serene Green" New Balance Football Furon boot, available here. To find out more about New Balance Football go to newbalance.com/football or follow @NBFootball on Twitter and Instagram.